I’m Sorry
RECENTLY I’ve noticed that the world in which I live is immensely apologetic. Or, I am constantly being wronged by the humans I cohabit the world with. Men and women apologize over the simplest and most innocent things. I don’t mean simple like a waiter apologizing over the absence of a desired item. This apology sounds like, “I’m sorry, but[…].” Nor do I use innocence to signify the sin of getting my all white shoes scuffed by a clumsy, unaware person. Depending upon the context, this apology differentiates between a “my bad” or “my fault son”. These instances naturally require an apology. A consumer not having the goods to consume requires an apology and a free meal. A person baptizing all white shoes with a black mark requires an apology, because some shoes are not shoes. So, when I say apologetic I am not referring to the inclinations of life that requires an apology lest disrespect is assumed. I mean, in the Occident, people apologize when no wrong has been committed. For example, a teacher apologizes for handing out a bad grade or a judge apologizes for handing down a just sentence or a person saying I’m sorry for winning first place in an event. Now, to some, these may be satirical, archetypal examples; but, to most they may very well know this truth in experience.
The root to this apologetic culture is a hyper-sensitivity to reality. Social media, delusion, and a lack of love, water this weed. In a way, life has become one big GMO. Therefore, the world has subconsciously ingrained a foundational pillar within our being that requires us to apologize for the good and ignore the bad. A man’s homelessness is not met with sympathy, rather debate on what caused him to get there and assumptions about his indolence. Where is his apology? Who could have prepared him for such a capitalistic and apathetic life? Parents see no need to apologize for the trauma, neglect, or callousness they project onto their children. Or is it that a parent’s main responsibility is to see the child make it to 18? Is a parent’s apology hidden in a field, buried beneath the dinosaurs and oil? It is a simple but terrible truth that humans rationalize every wrong behavior with self-righteousness and a puerile pointing of the finger.
Are apologies hidden in a field, buried beneath the dinosaurs and oil?
Yet, what about our apology to the loving God (Psalm 136)? How often do we grieve over our little repentance or the pain we bring to Him (Genesis 6)? We convince ourselves with, “I haven’t done anything bad today.” But, how can we forget that our very existence, the breath we take, the memories we make all came with a price— the blood of a Man (John 3:16). One of the tragedies of our Occidental society is the illusion that repentance and salvation, can be separated from each other. If it wasn’t for our existence Jesus would have no purpose in being spat upon, mocked, humiliated, tortured, or murdered. If anyone deserves an apology, it should be Jesus. I challenge y’all, be mindful of this truth.
“God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.”
